Same Steelbook, Different language, Different demand ??

[Hugo Skeeter]

Just wondering why some Steelbooks seem to be more in demand than others, which on the surface appear to be identical except for the language.

Example; I had a copy Inglourious Basterds on my trading list and every other enquiry seem to be about that disc. It’s certainly no longer available from Media Markt, so it’s a rare Steelbook. That I understand. But the French version has exactly the same cover artwork, same content on the discs, the only difference being the language on the cover.

When I look on peoples wants lists, the German version is on quite a few but I have not seen one person who is actively seeking the French version ?

Is it just the ironic beauty of a film about Nazi killers being issued as a Steelbook in Germany or do you guys in North America just prefer German to French as your foreign language option ?

[Paulst10]

IMO, the German was always going to be the rarest as like you say the ironic beauty of it's country of origin and I suppose the fact it sold out on it's first day ?

[zwostler]

French and German, are not the same Steelbooks, the color from German one is much better than french one. I think someone made already a pic where you could compare both.

[Mister Moe]

Actually there are (small) differences in the cover artwork.
The german version is nearly full embossed on the front side and the hawk is a little bigger while on the french version the names of the actors are part of the non-embossed part and the hawk is smaller. Also the back print is neither german or french.

[jw]

Originally Posted by zwostler

French and German, are not the same Steelbooks, the color from German one is much better than french one. I think someone made already a pic where you could compare both.

Exactly, The French one isnt glossy and doesnt use the darker red.

[seeweda]

Doesn't the German one also have inside art where the French does not? I also thought the German had a slight extended cut of the film that other regions didn't get? Seeing them side by side the German one does look slightly better.

[jw]

Yea it does have inside art, forgot about that as I only opened the French one...Not sure about the actual movie but with tougher german FSK laws I am surprised

[mikeyt912]

ya they might look the same from pics and whatnot but once you have them both in your hands you can def see differences

[richfell]

Originally Posted by Hugo Skeeter

Just wondering why some Steelbooks seem to be more in demand than others, which on the surface appear to be identical except for the language.

Example; I had a copy Inglourious Basterds on my trading list and every other enquiry seem to be about that disc. It’s certainly no longer available from Media Markt, so it’s a rare Steelbook. That I understand. But the French version has exactly the same cover artwork, same content on the discs, the only difference being the language on the cover.

When I look on peoples wants lists, the German version is on quite a few but I have not seen one person who is actively seeking the French version ?

Is it just the ironic beauty of a film about Nazi killers being issued as a Steelbook in Germany or do you guys in North America just prefer German to French as your foreign language option ?

interesting you say that mate. I also have one for trade but hardly had anybody asking about it.

So we think the German one is more sought after than the Canadian one too??

[seeweda]

Originally Posted by richfell

interesting you say that mate. I also have one for trade but hardly had anybody asking about it.

So we think the German one is more sought after than the Canadian one too??

Yes I think the German edition is the one to have on this. The Canadian will be second and the French 3rd. I think the Canadian would of been up there if the cover wasn't Brad Pitt and more of the cast were in it. I know he was the big name in it but his contribution was minimal compared to a couple others in the film. It was a very ensemble cast and the cover should of shown that.

[crashkelly]

Originally Posted by richfell

interesting you say that mate. I also have one for trade but hardly had anybody asking about it.

So we think the German one is more sought after than the Canadian one too??

Originally Posted by seeweda

Yes I think the German edition is the one to have on this. The Canadian will be second and the French 3rd. I think the Canadian would of been up there if the cover wasn't Brad Pitt and more of the cast were in it. I know he was the big name in it but his contribution was minimal compared to a couple others in the film. It was a very ensemble cast and the cover should of shown that.

I agree completely and the cover on of the FS one leaves a lot to be desired. Putting that one on display is pretty much like just displaying a photo of Brad Pitt in my HT

Cheers
CrashKelly

[seeweda]

Is there any other Steels that have this kind of issue where they are pretty similar but one is more sought than the other(not counting IAL)? I know there is 2012 but both versions were pretty widely sold so doubt either will garner much attention. Then maybe District 9 while each release seems fairly limited they are all identical except language on the front and back?

[zwostler]

Originally Posted by seeweda

Is there any other Steels that have this kind of issue where they are pretty similar but one is more sought than the other(not counting IAL)? I know there is 2012 but both versions were pretty widely sold so doubt either will garner much attention. Then maybe District 9 while each release seems fairly limited they are all identical except language on the front and back?

Star Trek:

Play vs FS

the demand of the play one is higher I think!

[crashkelly]

Originally Posted by zwostler

Star Trek:

Play vs FS

the demand of the play one is higher I think!

But those 2 are exactly the same aren't they?

Cheers
CrashKelly

[halamadrid]

Originally Posted by crashkelly

But those 2 are exactly the same aren't they?

Cheers
CrashKelly

Well, I can at least attest to one difference: the digital copy that comes with the British one can't be used in North America ...

[bigjee]

The German IB has more embossing than the French one

[digitalbabe]

The Play UK ed also has a 3D Enterprise special feature, where you can see the Enterprise in 3D with web cam, but the FS version does not (confirmed by Ian at FS at the time). I don't know if the covers were identical, as I only own the Play version.

But generally, if the SB's are virtually identical (and even when not), I think there's also some level of pride/loyalty for some people to purchase from their own country. The other thing that seems to be a deciding factor is somehow relating the content of the film to the Steelbook's country of origin (i.e Inglourious Basterds in Germany, Gladiator to Italy,etc). Obviously this doesn't matter for everyone, but these two reasons could be contributing to these preferences?

[jw]

Originally Posted by zwostler

Star Trek:

Play vs FS

the demand of the play one is higher I think!

Play.com one was sourced cheaper than the FS one, Thats the most likely reason. Most of Europe could purchase it for retail cost vs the high aftermarket prices of the FS one. And since they were the "same", not may collectors are OCD and do every country so it hurt the FS demand. The FS one is selling now because the Play one is OOS

[GreatGreg]

Originally Posted by zwostler

Star Trek:

Play vs FS

the demand of the play one is higher I think!

Originally Posted by crashkelly

But those 2 are exactly the same aren't they?

Cheers
CrashKelly

Essentially identical, but from different SteelBook runs because there are different logos on the SteelBook.

[crashkelly]

Originally Posted by halamadrid

Well, I can at least attest to one difference: the digital copy that comes with the British one can't be used in North America ...

Yes, but that only matters if you open

Cheers
CrashKelly